Senior Scam Awareness Playbook (Travel Edition)

How to protect your money, confidence, and peace while traveling

First, this matters

Most travel scams don’t work because people are careless.

They work because scammers are trained.

They listen.

They rush.

They create confusion.

This guide exists so you can travel alert, calm, and prepared — not fearful.

How scammers spot seniors

Scammers don’t look for age alone.

They listen for:

• Polite hesitation
• Over-explaining
• Apologies
• Confusion about prices or directions

They notice when someone:

• Pauses too long
• Looks flustered
• Asks the “wrong” question

This is not your fault.

It’s pattern recognition.

The most common travel scams targeting seniors

1. The “Helpful Stranger” scam

Someone offers help:

• With luggage
• With tickets
• With directions
• With a machine that “isn’t working”

While helping, they:

• Take your bag
• Switch cards
• Watch your PIN
• Distract you while someone else acts

Rule:

If help wasn’t requested, politely decline.

You can say:

“No thank you. I’m all set.”

2. Taxi & ride scams

Common signs:

• “Meter is broken”
• “Cash only”
• Long, unnecessary routes
• Sudden price changes

Protect yourself:

• Ask the price before entering
• Use official taxis or apps
• Sit in the back
• Keep bags with you

If something feels off:

“Please stop here.”

3. ATM & card scams

Scammers target:

• Outdoor ATMs
• Distracted travelers
• People counting cash

Do this instead:

• Use ATMs inside banks or hotels
• Shield your PIN
• Put cash away before moving

Never let someone “help” you at an ATM.

4. Hotel & lodging scams

Watch for:

• Fake front desk calls
• Requests for card numbers
• “Verification” messages

Hotels do not ask for card details by phone.

Say:

“I’ll come to the desk in person.”

5. Overpricing & pressure sales

You may hear:

• “Today only”
• “Last chance”
• “Everyone pays this”

Pressure is a red flag.

You are allowed to walk away.

What NOT to say

Scammers listen for clues.

Avoid saying:

• “I’m traveling alone”
• “I don’t travel much”
• “I’m not sure how this works”

You don’t owe explanations.

What TO say (short and calm)

Use simple phrases:

• “No thank you.”
• “I’m not interested.”
• “I’ll handle this myself.”

Repeat once.

Then disengage.

If something already happened

Do not panic.

Steps:

1. Get to a safe place
2. Cancel cards if needed
3. Report to hotel staff or authorities
4. Document what happened

Shame helps scammers — not you.

One important truth

Being cautious is not being rude.

Protecting yourself is not being difficult.

You are allowed to:

• Move slowly
• Ask questions
• Say no
• Walk away

That is wisdom.

Why this guide exists

Travel should make your world bigger — not smaller.

This playbook is here so you:

• Keep your money
• Keep your confidence
• Keep your peace

Every trip. Every time.

Part of the Senior Travel Protection Bundle

Because you shouldn’t have to learn this the hard way.